The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-08-31


best show their disrespect for the high Office
OF President OF QUE common country. By
the time probably eight hundred or a
thousand men had passed the column
came to a halt with some Pittsburg Posts
stretching out below the banner.
The men belonging to these Posts broke
ran Ks and crowded over to the curb stone,
where many showed in every possible way
the veuom.with which they were filed
One Post, whose commander had halted it
directly in front of the Register Office,
moved up the street away from the banner
which so annoyed them. This malt vas of
bali an hours duration, and all this time
the Pittsburg men continued to make
themselves obnoxious, not only to our citi-
zens, but to many members of Posts from
other States.
and staff rome down the line, when the
Peensy lvanias fell into line and salGted,
but no sooner bad the officers gone by than
the trouble broke out afresh. Soon the
staff came back. and following them came
Drummond Post No. 212, of st. Clairsville,
on horseback, which, led by Col. CHARLES
worth, as gallant soldier as ever wore
blue clothes, went squarely under the ban
ner, amid the cheers of q number of Demo-
Gratis, who has: by this time gathered on
the east side of the street. The example
set by Drummond Post was not generally
followed, however. The rinGleaders who
had so far made most of the trouble, re-
doubled their efforts. The hubbub soor
became tremendous, the street was one
mass of excited men, and so disguised did
many members of the G. A. r become al
the disgrace brought upon the organlza-
ton that they stripped off
their badges, left the column, and solemnly
declared that they were done with the or
der forever. The second and third divis-
ions continued to march past, some going
under the banner with dropped or trailing
flags, and others making q detour almost
on the side walk to avoid it, until En-
campment No. j, of the Union Veteran
Legion, OF Pittsburg, came up with the
big Cathedral band az its head. IL was
universally expected that this command
would do as the G. A. r. Posts had done,
but they were made of different stuff. The
drum major of the band swung his long
staff to the right and left, opening lane
through the crowd right under the banner
and cutting of the Intelligencer crowd
and the Pittsburg politicians behind them
from the main part OF the spectators, aud
the Legion, with colors upright and com.
pact RANKS, marched right under the por-
trait of the President. For a moment the
great crowd was silent, and then a wild
cheer burst from hundreus of citizens and
G. A. r. men who. ashamed of their cou-
rades, had cropped ont of the line in dis.
gust. The Republicans responded With
Kisses, and for a few moments troable
seemed near. But on marched the Legion,
with Commander-in-C Chief Geo. r. Coal
mers at the head, over 800 strong. This
manly action. coming ia such marked con-
trast to the G.. A. r met with the wild.
est enthusiasm, and the Legion was every
where commended in the most hearty
manner.
News of the action of the G.. A. R, had
by this time spread over a goodly portion
of the town, and prominent citizens of
both parties soon hurried to the vicinity
of the Register Office, full of indignation
at the indignity so gratuitously offered.
The excitement was intense, and express
sions of resentment were bitter and unit
meIable. Men ordinarily among the most
quiet in the city, were white with anger,
and expressed themselves in words which
showed the Outrage bad struck home.
Others, no less iHcensed, were almost ii
tears as they thought of how utterly an
event, in which all, up to noon, had had
part, had been dragged from Its seemingly
secure foundation. and made 10 serve the
end of bitter partisanism. Democrats who
had been most active in making the re-
union q success, threw away their badges
and went home in disgust, and, where an
hour before. all had been of one mind aud
of one purpose, there was a community
divided, great event marred beyond re-
pair, and above all, the deep conviction
that the city of Wheeling had been robbed
in q moment of much of the benefit and
profit arising from any like occasion in
the future. 1t is certain that never again
will many Democrats lend their aid or en-
couragement to reunion OF the Army of
West Virginia. No more will Wheeling
people, with the unanimity, so pleasing
feature of the present meeting, hang out
their banners and expend their money
and time as they have done this weak.
THE NIGHT MEETING.
Gov. Wilson had left the platform
but was sent after and introduced
again. He said il is with feeling of graf
itude that the South realizes that it is back
in the Union to-day, and it does not make
that feeling any stronger to be continually
talking about rebels and rebellion. Do
you expect to feed this country on dish
OF rebellion for the next 100 years TO conner
The true American soldier did not go to
war for the purpose of coming back mere
and commence talking about rebels. Let
me tell the Governor who has told what he
did in the war, that it is not such grand
thing to be continually talking about your
own exploits. ! consider myself as much
a patriot as any man here this evening,
whether he has two legs, one leg or no legs.
Loud cries. The conduct OF the crowd at
this point was simply disgraceful. FoTak-
er sweggered around and said that he
would answer anything that was stated,
and the confusion subsidized. After some
minutes the crowd yelled itself down, aud
Gov. Wilson was allowed to proceed.
You hsd better bear in mind that the SOL
diers who went into the war were not all
Republicans. Hancock and scores OF other
officers, and thousands and tens of thous
snds of the rank and file were good
Democrats and as good patriots any
here this evening. l did not come here to
talk politics, but am not going to see the
record of the Democratic soldier swallowed
up In the vortex of partisan hatred with
out liftirg my voice in protest. Every
American citizen should have his politics.
He should study the questions of the day
and pass upon them by the tests of reason.
| believe in the reason Of the people. and
in the reason alone and not in any parts
an prejudice or sectional hatred Oar
Constitution was founded in reason and
was made for the benefit OF no section.
| Whatever may have been a mans actions
| twenty years ago. can it De for any good to
be continually telling him be was wrong
and that he must get down in the do t and
beg pardon on his knees.
Governor Wilson was frequently inter
rupted by the crowd, who seemed deter
mined to howl him down. Cat-calls cries.
| hisses, and even threafs were used by the
| towards in order to prevent him from de.
| Tending himself against the malicious